Affordable Diesel from Volkswagen

With gas prices ever on the rise, new car buyers are more and more aware of how far they can go on a tank full of the precious liquid. If you’ve been interested in switching to a diesel-powered vehicle, Volkswagen has just made it easy for you. The car maker already produces the cheapest and smallest diesel sedan on the market in the United States, but it will slash the price of the 2014 Jetta TDI Value Edition by an additional $2,000, making it possible to own one for $22,115.

The latest Jetta comes with a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel engine which produces 140hp and 30/42 mpg. This is a bump up from the gas model which only has 115hp. The base version has a 6-speed manual transmission, but an optional DSG dual clutch automatic is available for an extra $1,100.

As the name implies, the Value Edition is missing some amenities in order to keep the price low. But it does come with some creature comforts which make it a little more attractive. Heated cloth seats are standard, but they are not power seats. Power steering, power windows, and cruise control are standard, but the steering wheel doesn’t telescope or tilt. Also standard is satellite radio/CD player with a six-speaker stereo and Volkswagen’s Media Device Interface. However, it has no Bluetooth connectivity.

It has received a 5-star safety rating in front, side, and rollover crash tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s New Car Assessment Program. The starting price of $22,115 is the lowest price for a diesel vehicle in the United States. The gas model is still a little cheaper starting at $17,540, but with the Chevrolet Cruze diesel (which is the Jetta’s closest competitor) starting at $25,810 it’s still a bargain.